Here is another thought that just occurred to me (as you mentioned
the paws are also red and inflamed.)

Have any biopsies been taken from the affected feet - either the pads
or the cuticle of the claw (where the germinal epithelium resides?)

Cutaneous lymphoma has a peculiar predisposition to affect the feet,
and I know several cases in which multiple feet were affected. I have
uploaded a photo from Ferret Aid of Toronto (www.ferretaid.org)from
Bandit, a ferret who had cutaneous lymphoma affecting the feet. If
lymphoma is infiltrating and disrupting the germinal epithelium,
onychodystrophy would be the end result.

--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., dbooras@h... wrote:
> Thank you, Dr. Williams, for going the extra mile on this one. I
wish
> I knew something about Cleo's history, but unfortunately, I don't
even
> know her age. My best guess would be about 3 years. To answer
your
> question, you are right, it is not affecting one or two claws, it
> always involves the whole paw. When she first came it was only her
> two front paws, it then progressed to one back paw, and is now
> progressing to her other hind paw. The pads of her feet are also
not
> normal, they are swollen and inflammed, especially when the topical
> treatments aren't controlling it. Or, maybe it's the other way
around
> - the topical treatments help with the visible symptoms that we see
> until something triggers an exacerbation from the inside.
>
> So, I believe what you're telling me is her paw problem is a
symptom
> or result of something else that's going on. This theory makes
sense
> because she has a very low energy level, her fur is thinner than it
> should be, and she has absolutely no interest in any food or treat
> other than ferret soup (ever lived with a bribe-less ferret?). I
> think I will ask my vet for a blood work-up on her and I will let
her
> know you would like a nail clipping in the formalin (sp?).
>
> I'll just have to keep trying to get this figured out while keeping
> Cleo as comfortable as possible, and treasuring the times when she
> does feel good enough to dance and play.
>
> Thank you so much for your help.
>
> Donna